Technical Dead Engine: Error U1600 - Key Not Recognised

[R1NGA]

Folks,

Just want a sanity check for a problem that has now been diagnosed on my 2006 4x4, that looks to be costing me about £260+vat.

Car has had a few 'moments' recently where the engine spins over but never fires. Try and try again and eventually it bursts into life, typically before the battery goes flat. Once running it's 100% perfect, so whilst churning, there was no fuel being injected etc etc, no spluttering, no smoke, all as if nothing wrong.

Bought an OBD2 reader and found U1600 being generated. Looked it up on the Interweb and suggested maybe immobiliser issues, but nothing really conclusive, as U-codes are manufacturer specific, or so it inferred. So I decided to do nothing.....

.... until it failed totally, as it did last Tuesday. Flattened battery and had to call the AA for a tow to local Fiat dealer. In hindsight of course I should have kept the spare (non-remote) key with me, but I didn't. Dealer confirmed dead main key and asked for spare to be delivered to garage too (pain in the backside of course). Which I did and of course it started the car fine. Panda now back at home awaiting delivery of new remote key which will need cutting, coding and then syncing with everything else. Should be due next week sometime.

Bishops of Guildford want £260+vat for this, which is steep in my view, but I guess there's little I can do but pay.

Anyone come across this before and know of any shortcuts? Decided not to stick with the spare and only have one key as one day it'll get dropped or lost or something.

Thanks,

Phil G

 

[PNL]

Have you got the little lock symbol up on the dash..I had that u code on my yella panda three times and deleted the code with my scanner..its to do with the security /immobiliser on the car..I saw a post quite a while back from T14 saying fiat know about this problem and this is an issue with the panda but it doesn't seem to be a detrimental one..:chin:

 

[R1NGA]

I know the symbol you mean, but before the key went completely US, there was no indication of any probs at all. Once it went terminal, all the lights were on of course, so I can't tell.

Would be annoying if Fiat know of an issue and use the £260 fix as a handy cash-cow...

Phil G

 

[Geminifm]

You shouldn't need a new key cutting at they should be able to take the metal key part out of the old key. You should only need a new fob. Have a look on ebay!!

Something like this: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Fiat-3-Button...ts_Vehicles_Automobila_ET&hash=item4cf01b7374

Will just need reprogramming

 

[Herts Hillhopper]

You shouldn't need a new key cutting at they should be able to take the metal key part out of the old key. You should only need a new fob. Have a look on ebay!!

Something like this: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Fiat-3-Button-Remote-Key-Fob-/330445845364?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Car_Parts_Vehicles_Automobila_ET&hash=item4cf01b7374

Will just need reprogramming

Good point! That could save some of the cost...

I have just bought a new remote key for mine (I only ever had one...*) and that has cost heading for £200: Key = £97 + vat, programming the key £60 + vat and obtaining the security code from the Security Register, andother £25ish, plus vat. So yes, Phi can save by reusing the metal part, but will still pay for programming, and if like me, you don't have the 'code card', still have to pay for the ISR fee too...

(bought used some years back and lady couldn't find the spare. Never really worried me, but eventually decided needed a spare.)

 

[R1NGA]

Good points made all round.

For future info, I took a closer look at the dash light status - or more particularly the yellow padlock symbol - and it does indeed go out before starting when using the OK spare key, but remains illuminated when the main key is in dead mode.

Managed to the main key to work once this last weekend - ie: padlock light extinguished for once - and it started fine. Quess there's an intermittent fault in there somewhere. Either way, it needs fixed.

Thanks for all your help folks.

Phil

 

[59 Panda]

I noticed the yellow padlock sign had lit up on my Panda, after filling with fuel the other day. I just switched off engine and restarted and it has not happened again,

 

[sludgeguts]

On OH's old car (vauxhall), when that was refusing to start one person talked about the immobiliser & key fob.
It had nothing whatsoever to do with the fault but it made for interesting reading. If you should happen to drop the fob or keep it in a pocket/handbag with millions of other keys & the many and varied dangly things that some people have on key rings etc etc etc.
In essence, the electronics in a key fob are reasonably sturdy but not indestructable so it was felt wise to have the car key with maybe one or two others at most and try to avoid loading the keyring with gadgets & gizmos & all things wierd. Also, try to store the fob in a pocket away from such as mobiles (as they are constantly sending out signals when switched on).
It's a similar scenario to the problems of mag stripes on credit cards etc when they are all stored tightly together in a card wallet.

 

[sludgeguts]

I noticed the yellow padlock sign had lit up on my Panda, after filling with fuel the other day. I just switched off engine and restarted and it has not happened again,

In the scenario I just mentioned, it was felt this can happen if the fob gets knocked & it is the system's way of sync'ing the code in the fob & immobiliser - the car recognises the fob is using an older code so does the yellow light thing to let you know it needs to bring everything back together.
Of course the guy may have been talking complete and utter bullplop, on the other hand...

I once read an article in a car mag about keys not lasting very long for some people - why one and not others - until one mech noticed the person waiting to hand their keys over to the person on reception & they took the key off the hugest bunch of bits & pieces you have ever seen. He wondered if all this weight had any impact & it was felt that it would wear the key as it could potentially sit for hours with this huge weight swinging around, trying to pull the key out of the ignition. Of course, the older keys were prone to wear but some went before their time.

 

[LeanMeanRacing]

Agreed - on a single keyring I have; the ignition key, Disklok key and mini-LED light and that's it.

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

Agreed - on a single keyring I have; the ignition key, Disklok key and mini-LED light and that's it.

I've the key for my 04 Stilo and 09 Panda on the same key ring. Neither key has confused the other car yet.

 

[LeanMeanRacing]

Sorry, I meant in reference to the folk who have their whole life on a single keyring

 

[sludgeguts]

I've the key for my 04 Stilo and 09 Panda on the same key ring. Neither key has confused the other car yet.

Are they both transponder type fobs? 04 and 09 are worlds apart in terms of tech.

On a slight tangent, fly by wire aircraft and use of mobile phones... A lot of cars are starting to pick up on fly by wire tech & almost everybody owns a mobile...
Maybe explains the precent probs with the prius?

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

Are they both transponder type fobs? 04 and 09 are worlds apart in terms of tech.

Both Code 2 systems.

On a slight tangent, fly by wire aircraft and use of mobile phones... A lot of cars are starting to pick up on fly by wire tech & almost everybody owns a mobile...
Maybe explains the precent probs with the prius?

A very interesting point actually.